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10/28/24 05 PM: Port Hadlock Sewer Ordinance Draft: Connections, Rates, Incentives Overview

Port Hadlock Sewer Ordinance Draft: Connections, Rates, Incentives Overview

Sam Harper presented Jefferson County's first Sewer Utility Code draft for Port Hadlock UGA, covering general provisions, mandatory connections, rates/fees/SDCs, incentives, pretreatment/enforcement, and latecomers. Public concerns on hookups and rates; informational session with no actions. Public hearing November 18.

Port Hadlock Sewer Ordinance Overview and General Provisions

Metadata

  • Time Range: 00:00:08–00:08:00 (PART 1)
  • Categories: ordinances, planning, infrastructure

Summary

Sam Harper, project manager, presented the draft Chapter 13 Sewer Utility Code for the Port Hadlock Urban Growth Area (UGA), the county's first utility ordinance, developed with input from Public Works, Prosecuting Attorney's Office, Community Development, Environmental Public Health, and Jefferson PUD. The ordinance covers chapters 1301 (general provisions, purpose, partnerships including interlocal agreement with PUD for operations), 1302 (definitions), and 1303 (authority relating to other plans like facility plan, comprehensive plan, and state codes). Engineering design standards and technical specs are under development using current construction bid documents.

Key Discussion Points

  • Ordinance tailored to Port Hadlock sewer area, focusing on core Phase 1 but covering full UGA with incentives for extensions.
  • Public Works Director has authority to manage sewer; allows agreements for operations with PUD.
  • References facility plan (2021 update), Department of Ecology "Orange Book," "Purple Book" for reclaimed water, county codes, and WAC.
  • Sam Harper: Encouraged questions between sections; public comment at end.
  • No questions on 1301-1303.

Public Comments

No public comment on this topic.

Supporting Materials Referenced

No supporting materials provided for analysis. Transcript references draft ordinance in agenda materials, facility plan, and technical documents.

Financials

No financial information discussed.

Alternatives & Amendments

No alternatives discussed.

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: Informational presentation; no action taken.
  • Next Steps:
  • Continue presentation on subsequent chapters.
  • Public hearing proposed for November 18.

Connection Policy (Chapter 1304)

Metadata

  • Time Range: 00:08:00–00:38:00 (PART 1)
  • Categories: ordinances, land use, services, planning

Summary

Chapter 1304 outlines connection requirements within the UGA, defining "sewer available" per Title 18 as within 200 feet of parcel; sewer prohibited outside UGA except in rare cases. A detailed table specifies mandatory connections based on structure type, septic adequacy, and sewer availability (e.g., new construction required; existing single-family/duplex with adequate septic not required unless major modification or new ADU triggers). Mobile homes not required by state law; easements required as county owns/maintains grinder pumps (PUD operates post-interlocal agreement); property owners maintain building sewer and electrical connection.

Key Discussion Points

  • Sam Harper/Monty (Public Works Director): Table breakdown—existing structures without adequate septic and sewer available must connect; major modifications (e.g., adding bedroom requiring septic upgrade) trigger if inadequate septic; new ADUs require all plumbed structures on property to connect; multifamily (3+ units) required regardless; non-residential <1 ERU (4,000 gal/month) with adequate septic not required but may sign no-protest agreement.
  • Low-pressure grinder pump system; county owns from control panel to road.
  • Discussion on "major modification" tied to septic upgrade need per county code.
  • Snowman (online): Asked if required to hook up.
  • Potential at-sale connection requirement discussed but not in draft.
  • Latecomers allow developer reimbursement (20 years for counties) for extensions.

Public Comments

  • Snowman (online): Concerned about mandatory hookup for existing single-family with good septic; noted presentation pace too fast.
  • Unidentified: Opposed mandatory hookup, called it forcing unnecessary action.
  • Unidentified: Questioned simple property transfer triggering connection.

Supporting Materials Referenced

No supporting materials provided for analysis. Transcript references Title 18, Jefferson County Code, draft ordinance table/Appendix 1 for latecomers/fees.

Financials

Latecomer fees in Appendix 1; application/permit fees mentioned.

Alternatives & Amendments

  • Floated requiring connection at time of sale (previously discussed in July workshop; unresolved).
  • No-protest agreements for small non-residential.

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: No action taken; draft policy presented for feedback.
  • Vote: None.
  • Next Steps: Incorporate feedback; public hearing November 18.

Rates, Fees, and System Development Charges (Chapter 1305)

Metadata

  • Time Range: 00:38:00–01:23:27 (PART 1)
  • Categories: budgeting, ordinances, infrastructure

Summary

Chapter 1305 covers finance: construction mostly grant-funded (Commerce, Ecology, EPA; small Ecology loan); operations via base rates ($80/ERU/month residential flat; non-residential $80 base + $0.025/gal over 4,000 gal; low-income 50% off $80), consumption for non-residential/high-strength waste, automatic annual CPI increase, low-income discount (200% poverty/Section 8/etc., auto if in PUD program). System Development Charges (SDCs) deferred to 2028 ($1,000), tier to $3,000 by 2030 for capital; waived/deferred for core Phase 1 and low-income/nonprofit housing (no cap, 20-year affordability covenant). Rates compare mid-range to neighbors; county to subsidize operations (~$247k-$287k/year at full 287 ERUs).

Key Discussion Points

  • Sam Harper: ERU=4,000 gal; residential flat (e.g., duplex 0.9 ERU=$72; multifamily/mobile/RV 0.7 ERU=$56); non-residential base + tiered overage/high-strength (BOD>1,000); low-income $40.
  • Projections: 190 ERUs Year 1 ($202/ERU needed vs. $80 charged); break-even ~400 ERUs; phasing starts 35 properties mid-2025.
  • Water-based metering (separate irrigation possible); comparisons to Port Townsend ($77), others.
  • SDCs low due to grants (vs. neighbors $10k+); for capital/expansion.

Public Comments

  • Questions on rates dropping with more users (future rate study; subsidy likely), irrigation impact (residential flat, no usage charge), ERU basis vs. actual use, low-income criteria (200% poverty, inclusive).

Supporting Materials Referenced

No supporting materials provided for analysis. Transcript references rate study, O&M budgets (20-year projection), 2023 neighbor comparisons, appendices for fees/SDCs.

Financials

  • Base: $80/ERU/month residential; $40 low-income.
  • Non-residential: +$0.025/gal >4,000; high-strength extra.
  • SDC: $0 core Phase 1; $1k (2028)-$3k (2030) per ERU.
  • O&M budget: $460k/year; subsidy $247k (287 ERUs) to $287k; Ecology loan repayment included.
  • Incentives reimburse up to $2,500 electrical.

Alternatives & Amendments

No alternatives discussed.

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: No action taken; rates/SDCs via separate resolution.
  • Vote: None.
  • Next Steps: Rate study post-Year 1; public hearing November 18.

Connection Incentives and Programs

Metadata

  • Time Range: 01:23:27–01:36:00 (PART 1)
  • Categories: budgeting, infrastructure, services

Summary

Core Phase 1 incentives (grant-funded): county covers grinder pump install, line to road/easement, septic decommissioning, grease interceptors, easements recording, electrical disconnect, up to $2,500 reimbursement (electrical), no SDC; admin to Environmental Health. Post-grant: county rate subsidy, SDC deferral/tiering, low-income/nonprofit deferrals. Phased rollout starts highest users; ~$30k-$40k private cost if voluntary/no funds left. Enough grants for required connections (287 ERUs potential).

Key Discussion Points

  • Sam Harper: Prioritize high-water users; bids open soon; PUD maintains post-interlocal.
  • Voluntary connections (adequate septic) may self-pay if funds exhausted; county owns grinder pumps/easements regardless.
  • Septic reuse (e.g., infiltration/storm) case-by-case; not for sewer.

Public Comments

  • Unidentified: Wants to keep septic for downspouts/infiltration.
  • Snowman (online): Asked about future Port Hadlock growth/zoning (response: existing UGA zoning map; future community updates).

Supporting Materials Referenced

No supporting materials provided for analysis. Transcript references grant programs (EPA/Ecology), appendices.

Financials

  • Core: $0 grinder pump/on-site to road; $2,500 max reimbursement.
  • Private hookup: ~$30k-$40k + $1.5k fees + future SDC.
  • 287 ERUs in Phase 1 area.

Alternatives & Amendments

No alternatives discussed.

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: No action taken.
  • Vote: None.
  • Next Steps: Pursue more grants; construction phases start Nov/Dec 2024.

Discharge Permits, Enforcement, Latecomers, and Appeals (Chapters 1306-1309)

Metadata

  • Time Range: 01:36:00–01:42:08 (PART 1)
  • Categories: ordinances, operations, public safety

Summary

Chapter 1306: Pretreatment (grease interceptors/traps, FOG program developing), discharge standards, no RV/marine dump yet. 1307: Enforcement for misuse (e.g., non-biodegradables clogging pumps; owner pays repairs). 1308: Latecomers (20-year reimbursement for developer extensions, linear foot basis). 1309: Appeals per existing county code.

Key Discussion Points

  • Sam Harper: Ecology oversees much pretreatment; educational materials for "flushable" items (no rags/rocks/bones); baseline testing needed.
  • Latecomers filed pre-excavation; fee processes reimbursement.

Public Comments

No public comment on this topic.

Supporting Materials Referenced

No supporting materials provided for analysis.

Financials

No financial information discussed.

Alternatives & Amendments

No alternatives discussed.

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: No action taken.
  • Vote: None.
  • Next Steps: Develop FOG program/standards.

Public Process and Next Steps

Metadata

  • Time Range: 01:42:08–01:46:50 (PART 1)
  • Categories: ordinances, planning

Summary

Process included three BOCC workshops; this special meeting for public input. Next: Public hearing November 18 (testimony/deliberation), then adoption. Materials (draft ordinance, slides) on Public Works Port Hadlock Sewer website; contact [email protected].

Key Discussion Points

  • Sam Harper/Kate Dean (Chair): Link draft to hearing notice; email/phone for questions.
  • Low-income: 200% poverty, Section 8, etc.; PUD administers.

Public Comments

No formal public comment; questions integrated throughout.

Supporting Materials Referenced

No supporting materials provided for analysis. Transcript references agenda materials, sewer website.

Financials

No financial information discussed.

Alternatives & Amendments

No alternatives discussed.

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: Meeting adjourned; informational.
  • Vote: None.
  • Next Steps:
  • Public hearing November 18.
  • Ordinance adoption post-hearing.
  • Post materials online.

Background Materials

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